The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: barbel on March 23, 2009, 02:21:49 pm

Title: Pig Breeders in Wiltshire?
Post by: barbel on March 23, 2009, 02:21:49 pm
Hi everyone,

We're going to be ready to take our first weaners in the next couple of weeks and we're hoping to get between 10 and 16 initially. Does anyone know of any breeders of rare breads (preferably Old Spots) in the Wiltshire area please?

Many thanks,

Andy
Title: Re: Pig Breeders in Wiltshire?
Post by: Rosemary on March 23, 2009, 09:13:46 pm
Jings, that's a lot to start with. Best of luck!
Title: Re: Pig Breeders in Wiltshire?
Post by: barbel on March 24, 2009, 10:10:32 am
Do you think it's too many for people who haven't done this before Rosemary? What would be your recommended number?

I guess the reason we've plumped for a higher number at present is because we have a nice big outside run (perimeter of around 130 meters) and we are thinking that by having a larger number, we're less likely to because 'attached' to them...

Thanks, Andy
Title: Re: Pig Breeders in Wiltshire?
Post by: Hilarysmum on March 24, 2009, 10:55:37 am
Not trying to put you off but have you thought what you are going to do with all that meat?  How many freezers do you have?  Pork wont last that long even in a freezer, I think 3 or 6 months max. The costs of abattoir, butcher and feeding to killing out weight.  The pig poo the noise especially come feeding time.  10 or more is going to be quite hard to deal with, especially as they get bigger, how will you cope if 2 or 3 set about the smallest one?  Not sure how big 130 metres is, but with 10-16 piglets going on pigs its not going to last long.  As they grow you would need 4 or more large arcs.  Then if you are keeping them all in the same run how are you going to separate for the final journey? 

Seriously suggest just have 2, neutered males, you will get attached, until  you taste your first home cured bacon, real sausage or incredibly tasty pork chop.

Good luck. HM
Title: Re: Pig Breeders in Wiltshire?
Post by: pigsatlesrues on March 24, 2009, 12:00:28 pm
I totally agree with HM. Two will be absolutely the right number to start with.  You will learn an awful lot from your experience with them, and re attachment - you will want to get attached and so you should.  Your pigs will benefit from the relationship that develops between you, and at the end you will have very happy pigs that will provide you the best quality/tasting meat and products that you will ever have tasted. Take this time now to try out some recipes.  Buy in some cuts of pork in the meantime to practice your curing skills so when the time comes you will be able to produce the very best products from your pigs, and if you thoroughly research, you will find there is minimal waste.  You should be able to use nearly everything on the pigs.

Research is deffinately the key here.  Land space; size for slaughter; cost of feed, housing, fencing, abatoir, registration, tags etc.  There is lots of information on TAS and you will find other websites that will give you lots of info about starting out with pigs.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Kate  :pig:
Title: Re: Pig Breeders in Wiltshire?
Post by: herdsman on March 24, 2009, 01:57:10 pm
 Pigparadise at Chitterne just north of Salisbury run excellent courses on pig keeping and will probably be able to sell you some weaners.

http://www.pigparadise.com/

They will also help you deal with all the paperwork nd legislation.
Title: Re: Pig Breeders in Wiltshire?
Post by: barbel on March 25, 2009, 10:14:58 am
Many thanks for the replies. I should have mentioned that that the pigs we're getting will be cared for by 2 different families and the land they're on is someone else's whose rent will be paid in pork. Therefore there is a larger demand for the meat than if it was just us. Our plan is to sell the excess to the local farm shop or last resort at market.

One thing I've found when trying to find out about keeping pigs is that I can't get consistent advice on anything! From 'what fencing to use' to 'ad-lib feeding or not' peoples views are completely different. I've come to the conclusion that we're going to just have to 'suck it and see' and learn from our own mistakes.

The good news is that I've found a local breeder who I'm going to see for a chat at the weekend...

Thanks again,

Andy
Title: Re: Pig Breeders in Wiltshire?
Post by: Hilarysmum on March 25, 2009, 06:43:19 pm
Please think long and hard about what you will do with all that pork, and the cost of feeding 10 or more, even between 2 families. 

If you are planning to sell meat then make sure you are very up to date with DEFRA and all the rules cos its a mine field.

When you say taking them to market do you mean the live pigs, to sell on for someone else to butcher.  If this is the case then do check out the pig prices because my UK friends who are pig producers are losing £5.00 per porker at present. 

HM